Summon for NC LIVE Libraries

­­As part of the new, six-year agreement with ProQuest, NC LIVE member libraries will have access to their own instance of Summon. Summon is a discovery service that pulls together all of your library’s collections – including electronic content licensed by NC LIVE, electronic content you license on your own, as well as all of the physical collections represented in your library catalog – into one set of search results. Summon meets the expectations of today’s users by providing your patrons a Google-like search of all your library’s collections.

Past Webinars

Summon for NC LIVE Public Libraries

You’re invited to a webinar to learn about how ProQuest Summon is being used successfully in public libraries. Two North Carolina public librarians, Ruth Ann Copley from Davidson County Public Library and Edward Hirst from Rowan Public Library, will share their experiences using Summon, including:

The reasons they feel Summon is a valuable tool for their library

How to add public library-specific resources to Summon (such as Overdrive, Fold3, Flipster, and more)

How they are promoting Summon to their patrons.

Whether you are already in the midst of implementing Summon, or aren’t sure where to start, this webinar will help you optimize Summon to meet the needs of your patrons. Also, NC Cardinal libraries will hear from Benjamin Murphy at the State Library about how they can launch Summon.

Informational Sessions about Summon

Join ProQuest and NC LIVE for a webinar to learn more about Summon and the implementation process. These sessions will cover: an overview of how Summon works, how it will help your library, major steps in the implementation process, frequently asked questions, and open Q&A.

Summon Made Easy

Ever wanted to hear what ProQuest Summon is like, Librarian-to-Librarian? Come learn about ProQuest Summon, the discovery service available to your library at no cost via NC LIVE. Two North Carolina libraries will be sharing their experiences implementing, promoting and measuring the impact of Summon. Doug Short at Central Piedmont Community College will talk about the implementation experience and Alan Unsworth at Surry County Community College will discuss the impact Summon has had on patrons since implementing in 2014.

Sign up for Summon

Please email the NC LIVE Help Desk if you're interested in implementing Summon. We'll just need your library name, contact information, and when you would like to implement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my library have to pay for Summon?

No. NC LIVE has negotiated Summon into our agreement with ProQuest. Summon is available to your library at no charge.

When can I implement Summon?

If you are interested, you can begin implementation of your instance of Summon as early as November 2017.

How do I implement Summon?

You can sign up for a preferred implementation spot using the form linked above.

What does the NC LIVE Summon deal include?

Summon, 360Link and E-Journal Portal.

What if I already have Summon?

Contact your ProQuest representative with any questions. You will no longer have to pay for Summon beginning January 1, 2018, but it is prudent to contact your rep to discuss any details about your current contract.

What if I already have another discovery service like EDS or WorldShare?

You can continue those, or adopt Summon. The choice is up to you.

Do I have to implement Summon?

Although Summon is available to all 205 NC LIVE member libraries, whether you choose to adopt it is entirely up to you. Some libraries may not see the value in a discovery service. Other libraries may already have a discovery service that they prefer. Implementing Summon is entirely optional.

Who currently uses Summon in North Carolina?

North Carolina libraries like NCSU, Wake Forest and Surry Community College, to name a few, currently use Summon. Also, NC LIVE has used Summon since 2015. The prominent search boxes on all of these webpages are entry points to Summon.